Two truck drivers lost their lives as they tried to help at a previous crash site in West Virginia in Thursday morning.
Around 7:20 a.m. on July 1, multiple agencies responded to I-81 at mile marker 19 near the rest area south of Spring Mills for a crash involving one 18 wheeler and four passenger vehicles.
Police say that an Infiniti car driver traveling south on I-81 lost control, crossed a median, and crashed into a parked semi truck. A southbound Hyundai SUV also lost control, crossed a median, and struck the Infiniti, wedging the Infiniti under the truck’s trailer.
Several people stopped to help the crash victims, including two truckers — 53 year old Adam T. Miller and 46 year old Ashish P. Patel.
As the two truckers were at the scene on foot, a southbound Nissan Pathfinder SUV driven by 47 year old Jason Hooper also lost control, crossed the median, and struck Miller, Patel, and the parked semi truck.
Both Miller and Patel died from their injuries.
Hooper was taken to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
Heavy rains were occurring at the time of the crash and police believe that speed and hydroplaning were factors.
Berkeley County Sheriff Nathan Harmon said, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the pedestrians involved within this accident whom, by their own drive to do the right thing and help those in need, sacrificed their lives to help others.”
The incident shut down southbound I-81 for hours and resulted in major traffic delays.
Vehicle Crash on I-81 SB at MM 19.0.
2 of 2 southbound lanes are closed.
Emergency vehicles on road, be prepared to stop, use caution when traveling through this area.
Berkeley County. pic.twitter.com/gBaV2P0SJY— West Virginia 511 (@WV511) July 1, 2021
The double fatality crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call either Lt. A. Burns or Cpl. D. Ritchie of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office at 304-267-7000.